H.R. No. 367 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Sean Burke on April 14, 1994, at the 1-2 age of 73, has brought a great loss to the friends, relatives, and 1-3 admirers of this remarkable community and spiritual leader; and 1-4 WHEREAS, Dr. Burke was born in Dublin, Ireland, on January 1-5 29, 1921, in the midst of that country's turbulent conflict, which 1-6 in December 1921 would lead to the creation of an autonomous Irish 1-7 Free State; and 1-8 WHEREAS, Growing up in a newly independent nation, Dr. Burke 1-9 was deeply influenced by his countrymen's search for a new national 1-10 and cultural identity; as an idealistic young man, he attended 1-11 Blackrock College and the Belmont School of Philosophy before 1-12 leaving the Emerald Isle for Canada, where he received his doctoral 1-13 degree in philosophy at Laval University in Quebec and taught at 1-14 Marianapolis College, Laval University, and St. Francis Xavier 1-15 University; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Realizing his dream of moving to the United States, 1-17 Dr. Burke studied at the Catholic University of America in 1-18 Washington, D.C., and served as a logic instructor for the 1-19 prisoners at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas during the 1-20 early 1950s; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In 1955, this fine gentleman joined the staff at 1-22 Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, where he was to teach for 1-23 nearly four decades; on August 11 of the same year, Dr. Burke was 1-24 united in marriage with the former Margaret Gardiner in a ceremony 2-1 held at St. Francis di Paola Catholic Church; and 2-2 WHEREAS, During his tenure at Incarnate Word College, this 2-3 esteemed educator inspired generations of students to pursue 2-4 academic and personal excellence, both in the classroom and over 2-5 the airwaves; as the host of "Meet the Professor," which aired on 2-6 KMOL-TV each week for 22 years, Dr. Burke led classroom-style 2-7 discussions with a panel of students and guests and addressed 2-8 topics ranging from philosophy and theology to community 2-9 involvement; and 2-10 WHEREAS, Named professor emeritus of the Incarnate Word 2-11 College philosophy department in 1992, Dr. Burke took a personal 2-12 interest in the future of his students and of the college itself; 2-13 he was a charter member of the school's development board and a 2-14 founding member of the University Round Table of San Antonio; and 2-15 WHEREAS, In recognition for his outstanding work in behalf of 2-16 the Catholic Church, Dr. Burke was designated a Knight of St. 2-17 Gregory by Pope Paul VI in 1973 and was later elevated by Pope John 2-18 Paul II to the rank of Knight Commander; and 2-19 WHEREAS, This exceptional individual also was known to the 2-20 Irish community of San Antonio as a leader and mentor who devoted 2-21 much of his life to preserving Irish culture for future generations 2-22 of Texans; a proud member of the Irish Cultural Society, Dr. Burke 2-23 cofounded the Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas and for 29 years 2-24 wrote a St. Patrick's Day column for the San Antonio Express-News; 2-25 and 2-26 WHEREAS, An outstanding scholar, a devout Catholic, a 2-27 dedicated leader in the community, and a devoted husband, Dr. Burke 3-1 brought unwavering commitment to every facet of his life; loved and 3-2 respected by his friends, he will be long remembered by the many 3-3 people whose lives he touched during his years on this earth; now, 3-4 therefore, be it 3-5 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 3-6 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Dr. Sean Burke and 3-7 extend deepest sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, 3-8 Margaret Burke; to his daughter, Eileen Burke-Faught; to his 3-9 son-in-law Wayne C. Faught; to his sisters, Kathleen Keane and Peg 3-10 Reidy; to his uncle, James Burke; to his cousins, Elizabeth 3-11 Burke-Kobell and Priscilla Freeland; and to his many other friends 3-12 and relatives; and, be it further 3-13 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 3-14 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 3-15 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 3-16 Dr. Sean Burke.